The Gritty Nurse

Amie Archibald-Varley
  • 4.4 (31)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Weekly

The Gritty Nurse is back, and NO TOPIC is off-limits! Launching in September 2025 with host Amie Archibald Varley, this podcast is dedicated to amplifying the voices of nurses and others who work in healthcare to explore the most pressing issues they face. Join Amie as she continues to take a deep dive into powerful and often uncomfortable topics. Though shared experriences, storytelling and the discussions surrounding the intersection of power, we will navigate the challenges facing healthcare nationally and internationally--as of course--challenge the status quo. The show's core belief remains unwavering: that compassion is the through understanding diverse narratives and perspectives is KEY. Amie will continue to explore hot-button issues like mental health, social justice, women's health, and the daily challenges within the nursing profession. The Gritty Nurse is more than just a podcast—it's a community where nurses and healthcare workers can feel heard, empowered, and recognized as the community leaders they truly are. Change is HERE.

  1. 5d ago

    Silence Isn't Safety, It's Strategy: Inside St. Joe's Fight Against Workplace Violence

    Would your hospital admit that staff get assaulted on the job — in public, with real numbers? St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton just did. And it's exposing a crisis most hospitals would rather not talk about. In this episode, I sit down with St. Joe's CEO Mike Heenan to unpack the numbers behind their decision to go public: at least 4 staff members verbally or physically assaulted every day — roughly 1,400 incidents a year, and that's just what gets reported. We dig into what it took to make transparency the policy, not the exception, and what other health systems are still avoiding. We also look at what this means nationally, using the CFNU's 2025 National Nurses Survey: 9 in 10 Canadian nurses experienced verbal abuse from a patient in the past year Workers' comp claims for violence against nurses have nearly tripled in Ontario since 2012 Healthcare workers are 5x more likely to be attacked on the job than workers in any other sector Between 2006–2021, only 12 Canadian court cases involving a nurse victim resulted in a sentencing decision Mike shares what it actually takes to build a safer hospital — leadership buy-in, community engagement, and the willingness to say "yes, this happens here." We also break down why I'm supporting Bill S-233, which would require courts to treat an assault against a healthcare worker as an aggravating factor at sentencing — meaning judges would have to weigh it as a more serious offence, not just business as usual. If you're a nurse, a healthcare worker, or someone who's ever wondered why hospitals stay quiet about this — this episode is for you. Fun fact I stumbled on while researching this: St. Joe's traces back to a group of Sisters of St. Joseph caring for cholera victims in railway sheds in the 1850s — that origin story alone would make a killer future episode. About Mike Heenan Dr. Mike Heenan is President and CEO of St. Joseph's Health System and President of St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton. He joined St. Joe's in November 2023 and was named permanent President and CEO of the health system in June 2025. Before St. Joe's, he served as Ontario's Assistant Deputy Minister, Hospitals and Capital, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has held executive leadership roles across various hospital settings. He holds a PhD in Business Administration/Health Policy Management from McMaster University. Connect with Mike: LinkedIn Careers at St. Joe's Interested in joining the team fighting for safer, more transparent healthcare workplaces? St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton is hiring. Browse open positions: joinstjoes.ca

  2. Aug 7

    A Battle Cry for Change: Postpartum Psychosis, Systemic Failure, and the Case of Lindsay Clancy

    In this new episode on The Gritty Nurse Podcast with Amie Archibald-Varley, we examine the case of Lindsay Clancy through the lens of postpartum psychosis and the catastrophic gaps in mental health care that allowed it to go unrecognized and untreated. I start with the question that should be asked before every postpartum antidepressant prescription: has this patient been screened for bipolar disorder? It's now considered the gold standard of care — and it only became standard practice because of this case. From there, we talk about what early screening should look like more broadly, what coordinated care between obstetric and psychiatric providers actually requires, and why compassion — not judgment — has to be the starting point if we want to prevent the next tragedy instead of just mourning it. If you're here for sensationalism, this isn't the episode for you. These are real people, a real family, and real suffering. Our purpose is not to relitigate what happened, but to ask why it happened, and what needs to change so it doesn't happen again. This is the conversation healthcare needs to be having — about postpartum psychosis, about the mothers falling through the cracks, and about the systemic changes required to catch them before it's too late. keywords   postpartum psychosis, mental health, systemic failure, screening, care coordination, maternal health, psychiatric emergency, postpartum depression, bipolar disorder, healthcare gaps      key  topics   Postpartum psychosis and its symptoms System failures in mental health care and prescription practices Importance of early screening for bipolar disorder and depression Systematic gaps in postpartum care and follow-up The Lindsay Clancy case and systemic accountability Role of healthcare providers in recognizing red flags Need for coordinated care among multiple prescribers Impact of medication polypharmacy and withdrawal Advocacy for improved postpartum mental health protocols Community and systemic responsibility in preventing tragedies * Listen on Apple Podcasts – : The Gritty Nurse Podcast on Apple Apple Podcasts  https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-gritty-nurse/id1493290782 * Watch on YouTube –  https://www.youtube.com/@thegrittynursepodcast Stay Connected: Website: grittynurse.com Instagram: @grittynursepod TikTok: @thegrittynursepodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064212216482 X (Twitter): @GrittyNurse Collaborations & Inquiries: For sponsorship opportunities or to book Amie for speaking engagements, visit: grittynurse.com/contact

  3. Jul 30

    Why Thousands of Nurses Are Walking Out Across North America? (And Who's Replacing Them)Them)

    Frontline pressures have reached a boiling point. In this swapcast episode, nurses Erica and Amie tackle the wave of nursing strikes across Massachusetts (MNA) and British Columbia (BCNU), exploring what these recent labor actions reveal about the true state of healthcare. Together, they dive into the harsh realities nurses are standing up against—from unsafe staffing ratios and lack of workplace respect to burnout and corporate greed. Erica and Amie also address the elephant in the room: "scab nurses." They break down the ethical, emotional, and financial strain traveling replacement nurses place on striking staff, how hospital systems use high-paid temporary labor to undercut union power, and the complex reality of nursing ethics vs. corporate greed. More importantly, they share actionable insights on how nurses can build genuine solidarity, mobilize for patient safety, and use their collective voice to drive real structural change. Whether you're on the floor or on the picket line, this is a conversation about standing tall for the profession. 🔗 Connect with Nurse Erica: Podcast: Nurses Uncorked on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Instagram & TikTok: @the.nurse.erica Web: nurseerica.com Listen on Apple Podcasts – : The Gritty Nurse Podcast on Apple Apple Podcasts  https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-gritty-nurse/id1493290782 * Watch on YouTube –  https://www.youtube.com/@thegrittynursepodcast Stay Connected: Website: grittynurse.com Instagram: @grittynursepod TikTok: @thegrittynursepodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064212216482 X (Twitter): @GrittyNurse Collaborations & Inquiries: For sponsorship opportunities or to book Amie for speaking engagements, visit: grittynurse.com/contact

  4. Jul 17

    The Handover: What a 40-Year Gap of Experience Can Teach the Nursing Profession

    How do we reclaim the narrative of modern nursing across generations? In this episode of The Gritty Nurse Podcast, host Amie Archibald-Varley sits down with extraordinary nurses, advocates, and authors Tilda Shalof and Lisa Mochrie to discuss their powerful new book, The Handover: A Nurse's Last Shift. Separated by a 40-year career gap, Tilda Shalof and Lisa Mochrie share their inspiring personal journeys through nursing to show that despite a lifetime of different experiences, we have far more in common than what divides us. At its heart, this episode is about the vital importance of nurses sharing their own stories—because when we write our own narratives, we reclaim our power. Together, they deliver a masterclass in perseverance, nurse mentorship, and finding your voice. They dive deep into why authentic storytelling is the ultimate tool for bridging generational divides, healing the healer, and driving systemic advocacy in healthcare. What We Discuss in This Episode: Why Nurses Must Share Their Stories: The critical importance of taking back our narrative, sharing our lived experiences, and refusing to let others define what it means to be a nurse. Bridging the 40-Year Gap: How a veteran nurse and a newer generation nurse found common ground, proving that the core of the nursing experience transcends time. The Power of Storytelling: Why sharing our raw, unfiltered experiences is crucial to changing the public perception of the nursing profession. Navigating Systemic Challenges: Honest strategies for tackling burnout, staffing shortages, and institutional hurdles in healthcare today. The Importance of Mentorship: How experienced chapters can uplift the next generation, and how new nurses can find the guidance they deserve. The Handover Book: The inspiration behind their book and how it serves as a love letter—and a wake-up call—to the nursing world. Career Longevity: Practical advice for protecting your mental health and thriving at every stage of your nursing career. Meet the Guests: Tilda Shalof was a staff nurse in the Medical-Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Toronto General Hospital for thirty years. She is the best-selling author of several memoirs, including A Nurse's Story, and was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2025 for her profound contributions to nursing education. Lisa Mochrie is a Registered Nurse, Team Lead, and Nursing Educator based in Burlington, Ontario.Recognized for her compassionate clinical practice and dedication to mentoring, she was honored by her students with the Most Valuable Professor Award in 2025. Where to Find the Guests & Buy the Book: Grab your copy of The Handover: A Nurse's Last Shift: Available now through University of Toronto Press or your favorite local bookstore! Connect with Tilda Shalof: IG- @nurse.tilda Connect with Lisa Mochrie: IG- @lisa_mochrie Connect with The Gritty Nurse: Website: www.grittynurse.com Instagram: @GrittyNursePod Twitter/X: @GrittyNurse Facebook: The Gritty Nurse With Amie Archibald Varley Support the Show: If you loved this episode, please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts—it helps other nurses find our community!

  5. Jul 3

    7 Years Ago, I Hid Under My Desk--And Seven Years Later, Almost to The Day... She Was Walked Out.

    Content note: this episode discusses workplace violence, suicidal ideation and psychological harm in a clinical/workplace setting. This week, almost seven years to the day since I walked out of a role where I once hid under my desk to escape a leader who ran her unit on fear, that same leader was walked out of hers. This isn't a celebration episode. I don't take pleasure in anyone losing their income or their identity. But I can't stay quiet about what it means that it took seven years — seven years of turnover, burnout, and silence — for accountability to catch up. In this solo episode, I break down five things we need to talk about: how healthcare culture protects powerful people who lead through fear, why "getting results" is not the same as good leadership, what real accountability structures should look like, and why we need to stop rewarding leaders who manage through intimidation instead of trust. This one is personal. If you've ever made yourself small to survive a shift, this episode is for you.

  6. Jun 26

    Follow The Legislation, Fix The Insurance! Nurse Psychotherapy Supports Mental Health

    With a growing mental health crisis and a system bogged down by waitlists and rigid silos, a powerful paradigm shift is happening across Canada: the rise of nurse-led psychotherapy. In this educational episode, we sit down with Sheena Howard (BScN, MA, RYT, RN), award-winning Nurse Psychotherapist and the founder of Acceptance Psychotherapy. We dive deep into why Registered Nurses are uniquely positioned to transform mental healthcare. Grounded in a holistic nursing blueprint, nurse psychotherapists don't just treat symptoms in isolation; they integrate biological, psychological, and social factors—bridging the gap between the physical nervous system, medication management, and emotional trauma. However, paving this independent path comes with major friction. Sheena pulls back the curtain on the institutional gatekeeping, regulatory ambiguities, and insurance barriers that independent nurse providers face daily. More importantly, she shares evidence-backed strategies on how to overcome these hurdles: by shifting focus from restrictive corporate insurance policies to strict provincial legislation, building multi-disciplinary alliances, and creating inclusive, trauma-informed clinical spaces. This conversation is a masterclass in healthcare advocacy and systemic disruption for any clinician ready to expand their scope and build a practice on their own terms. Key Topics & Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to Nurse Psychotherapy in Canada 02:12 – Moving Beyond the Bedside: Sheena's Professional Journey 04:45 – The Holistic Edge: Merging Nursing Knowledge with Psychotherapy 06:48 – What the Data Says: Evidence-Based Outcomes of Nurse-Led Mental Health Care 09:07 – Overcoming Institutional Bias: Founding the Acceptance Clinic 11:59 – The Educational Pipeline & Advanced Clinical Competencies for RNs 14:54 – Dismantling Systemic Barriers, Sexism, and Gatekeeping in the Field 15:07 – Strategy Session: Navigating Insurance Red Tape & Regulatory Hurdles 20:15 – Intersectional Clinical Care: Harm Reduction & 2SLGBTQIA+ Affirmation 25:46 – Advocacy in Action: Changing Legislation to Expand Public Mental Health Access About Our Guest: Sheena Howard Sheena Howard is an award-winning Nurse Psychotherapist, healthcare entrepreneur, and the founder of Acceptance Nurse Psychotherapy, a leading nurse-owned mental health practice. Registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario, Sheena holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Arts. Over her 20+ year clinical career, she has dedicated herself to providing trauma-informed, intersectional, and harm-reduction-focused psychotherapy. Honoured with the provincial Nurse Innovation Award from the Registered Nurses' Foundation of Ontario in 2023, Sheena is a fierce advocate for nurse autonomy, health equity, and diverse mental health access. Connect with Sheena: Website: Acceptance Clinic Email: sheena@acceptanceclinic.ca Instagram: @AcceptanceNursePsychotherapy Community Advocacy: Join the Nurse Psychotherapists of Ontario network. Resources & Frameworks Mentioned: Clinical Practice: Acceptance Clinic Official Page Professional Standards & Policy: Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Regulatory Context: College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) Legislative Foundations: Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) Equity Initiatives: CNA Reconciliation Framework  Clinical Practice: Acceptance Clinic Official Page Regulatory & Practice Guidance: CNO: Psychotherapy and the Controlled Act Component  Listen on Apple Podcasts – : The Gritty Nurse Podcast on Apple Apple Podcasts  https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-gritty-nurse/id1493290782   * Watch on YouTube –  https://www.youtube.com/@thegrittynursepodcast Stay Connected: Website: grittynurse.com Instagram: @grittynursepod TikTok: @thegrittynursepodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064212216482 X (Twitter): @GrittyNurse Collaborations & Inquiries: For sponsorship opportunities or to book Amie for speaking engagements, visit: grittynurse.com/contact Thank you to Hospital News for being a collaborative partner with the Gritty Nurse! www.hospitalnews.com

  7. Jun 19

    From KOBO to Digital Health: Disrupting the Status Quo In Healthcare with Mike Serbinis

    How do we move from a healthcare system that only reacts to illness, to one that actively empowers patients? In this episode of The Gritty Nurse Podcast, host Amie Archibald-Varley sits down with Mike Serbinis, the visionary CEO and founder of League, a leading digital health platform transforming the consumer healthcare experience. A seasoned tech innovator and entrepreneur, Mike has a storied history of disrupting industries—from working alongside Elon Musk on early jet propulsion designs to co-founding Kobo, which challenged the global e-reading market. Now, he's turning his sights toward fixing our fragmented healthcare system. Amie and Mike dive deep into how cutting-edge technology, personalization, and AI can bridge the massive gaps in current healthcare delivery, alleviate provider burnout, and truly put the power back into the hands of patients and frontline workers. What We Discuss in This Episode: The Journey to Disruption: How Mike transitioned from mainstream tech innovation to tackling the complex world of healthcare. AI & Digital Platforms: The real-world applications of technology in streamlining care, improving patient outcomes, and modernizing the clinical experience. Empowering the Individual: Shifting the paradigm toward proactive, patient-centered care and navigating the barriers to systemic change. The Future of Care: What a fully integrated, tech-enabled healthcare ecosystem actually looks like for patients and providers on the ground. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Healthcare Transformation 02:25 Personal Journey into Healthcare Innovation 05:28 The Need for a Consumer-Centered Healthcare System 07:56 Aha Moments: Personal Experiences Driving Change 10:38 Shifting Power Dynamics in Healthcare 13:37 Leveraging Technology to Improve Healthcare Access 15:56 Case Study: Hello Pregnancy Initiative 18:53 AI in Healthcare: Balancing Innovation and Care 22:34 Empowering Clinicians Through Technology 27:31 Building Trust in Healthcare Innovation 31:42 The Digital Front Door to Healthcare 35:13 Preventative Care and the Infinite Care Team 39:45 Hope for the Future of Healthcare Connect with Mike & League: LinkedIn: Michael Serbinis Website: League.com X (Twitter): @mserbinis   Listen on Apple Podcasts – : The Gritty Nurse Podcast on Apple Apple Podcasts  https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-gritty-nurse/id1493290782 * Watch on YouTube –  https://www.youtube.com/@thegrittynursepodcast Stay Connected: Website: grittynurse.com Instagram: @grittynursepod TikTok: @thegrittynursepodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064212216482 X (Twitter): @GrittyNurse Collaborations & Inquiries: For sponsorship opportunities or to book Amie for speaking engagements, visit: grittynurse.com/contact Thank you to Hospital News for being a collaborative partner with the Gritty Nurse! www.hospitalnews.com

  8. Jun 11

    From the ICU to the Page: Nurse Author Tilda Shalof on Why Nurses Must Tell Their Stories

    What happens when a nurse picks up a pen and refuses to stay quiet? She becomes Tilda Shalof — ICU nurse, bestselling author, patient advocate, and one of Canada's most powerful voices for the nursing profession. In this episode of The Gritty Nurse Podcast, host Amie Archibald-Varley sits down with Tilda Shalof, RN, BScN, CNCC(C), a veteran nurse from Toronto General Hospital's Medical-Surgical ICU and the author of six books — including the acclaimed A Nurse's Story, The Making of a Nurse, Camp Nurse, Opening My Heart, Lives in the Balance, and Bringing It Home. Her work has been translated into French, Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese, reaching nurses and patients across the globe. Tilda has spent decades doing what nurses do best — caring for the critically ill, advocating for patients, and working in the most demanding environments in healthcare. But she's also done something radical: she wrote it all down and made the world pay attention. In this conversation, Amie and Tilda dig into: Why nursing stories matter more now than ever — and how storytelling is a form of advocacy What Tilda learned about the healthcare system when she became a patient herself after open-heart surgery The moral courage it takes to be a nurse — and why the profession is "the opposite of despair" How nurses can combat burnout by finding community, voice, and purpose through their stories The hidden world of home care, ICU nursing, and everything in between What it means to be a nurse-first, author-second — and why that distinction matters Whether you're a nurse on the front lines, a nursing student wondering if you have what it takes, or a healthcare advocate who believes the system needs to change — this episode will remind you why nurses' voices are essential, urgent, and worth amplifying. 📚 Find Tilda Shalof: 🌐 Website: www.nursetilda.com 📷 Instagram: @nurse.tilda 📧 Contact: tilda@nursetilda.com * Listen on Apple Podcasts – : The Gritty Nurse Podcast on Apple Apple Podcasts  https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-gritty-nurse/id1493290782 * Watch on YouTube –  https://www.youtube.com/@thegrittynursepodcast Stay Connected: Website: grittynurse.com Instagram: @grittynursepod TikTok: @thegrittynursepodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064212216482 X (Twitter): @GrittyNurse Collaborations & Inquiries: For sponsorship opportunities or to book Amie for speaking engagements, visit: grittynurse.com/contact Thank you to Hospital News for being a collaborative partner with the Gritty Nurse! www.hospitalnews.com

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4.4
out of 5
31 Ratings

About

The Gritty Nurse is back, and NO TOPIC is off-limits! Launching in September 2025 with host Amie Archibald Varley, this podcast is dedicated to amplifying the voices of nurses and others who work in healthcare to explore the most pressing issues they face. Join Amie as she continues to take a deep dive into powerful and often uncomfortable topics. Though shared experriences, storytelling and the discussions surrounding the intersection of power, we will navigate the challenges facing healthcare nationally and internationally--as of course--challenge the status quo. The show's core belief remains unwavering: that compassion is the through understanding diverse narratives and perspectives is KEY. Amie will continue to explore hot-button issues like mental health, social justice, women's health, and the daily challenges within the nursing profession. The Gritty Nurse is more than just a podcast—it's a community where nurses and healthcare workers can feel heard, empowered, and recognized as the community leaders they truly are. Change is HERE.

Information

  • Creator
    Amie Archibald-Varley
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    The Gritty Nurse

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